PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Patterson Has Had Special Success

Elvis Patterson continues to make a name for himself on special teams. In last Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the Rams, he downed Jeff Gossett’s punt at the two-yard line. Patterson probably needs a blocked punt or two to gain Pro Bowl consideration, but Coach Art Shell thinks Patterson is one of the best.

“If he’s not, he’s right near the top,” Shell said. “His presence on the football field is known.”

Is there a better kicker/punter combination in the league than the Raiders’ two Jeffs, Jaeger and Gossett? Jaeger has received more attention, having made 19 of 22 field-goal attempts, but Gossett continues to lead the NFL with a 39.3-yard net punting average.

At this pace, Jaeger and Gossett might actually earn a brief conversation with their coach, Shell, who doesn’t socialize with their kind.

“All the kickers I’ve ever been around have been strange people,” Shell said.